Another Manic Monday

Happy Monday fellow bloggers. Did you survive the day? I did and I sure do hate Monday's. But, now that the day is almost over a feeling of calmness is settling in.

Over the weekend I got some stitching done that I hope to make into a xmas gift. It is from La-D-Da called "Bushel & a Peck". I am doing it on 28 count "Foglifter". This saying is one that my mom's favorites and I am trying to think of a neat way to finish it off when I am done. I would like to somehow incorporate it with a shadow box frame with a couple of old family photos or maybe even put it into a covered photo album. If anyone has any other ideas please let me know. I hope to have the stitching done this week so that I have enough time to get it finished.

Gosh, I am trying to get better at blogging and sometimes I need to hide away from everyone so that I can think about what to blog. Well, look at this. Josie doesn't seem to want to obey my wishes. It is amazing how quickly dogs learn to open doors.

I cannot complain, she had a very rough week last week. We had to take her to Purdue Vet school for tests. She was a good dog and seemed to have enjoyed getting extra playtime in with everyone there. Bad part, they played with her late into the night and the next night when we got her home she decided that playing at 3am was fun.

Since she had to have a test done which means removing some of her fur they did give her a really pretty bandanna to wear for the holiday to cover up her missing fur. I think she likes it. I know I do.

Well, stay tuned for more updates. My fans are complaining again that I am not keeping up with my postings so I plan to hit this again as soon as I can.

Recent Buys

Fall time is my most favorite time of the year. I love the trees changing colors and the wonderful fall days when it is just warm enough to wear a sweatshirt while raking leaves. Okay, I don't enjoy raking leaves and it is so amazing for someone that has no trees in her front yard on how many leaves I have to end up raking. Okay, maybe it is a pay back for when I did have the most amazing maple tree that changed into the most fabulous colors. Course, we decided to build a planter box around the base of this old maple tree and ended up killing it. Oh well...

So, to add to my enjoyment of fall time I picked up "Harvest Time" by Prairie Schooler at my local stitch shop.

http://www.prairieschooler.com/books/bk93.htm

Sorry, I don't know how to add a picture from their website to my blog.

Also, I picked up an old pattern from Waxing Moon Designs called "Autumn Minis" since it had a really cute turkey that I think I will stitch into a pincushion.

I also enjoy doing Redwork and went out to review the patterns at Crab-Apple Hill Studios. Take a look at this link of the really cute Snowman that I purchased.

http://www.crabapplehillstudio.com/items/411_vintage_candy_cane_snowman.aspx

I will have to jump into doing this one as soon as possible. It will make a really nice Christmas gift as a pillow for a special friend.

I know that I haven't given you much of an update on my stitching progress but I should be just about done with Blackbird Design "Blessings & Kind Wishes" which is from their Loose Feathers collection. Stay tuned since I did change the fabric color and it is turning out really nice.

Well, I wanted to give a small update on what is happening since I have heard that I don't post enough.... Enjoy Ladies... More to follow.

Finished Project

Wow, I did it... I have finished another project on my own. What another huge step. If I play my cards right I should have one more item done this weekend. We will see what tomorrow brings.

This is the project I received in September at the Shepherd's Bush Retreat. It is called Shared Stitches 2008. On one side is the alphabet used with the names of all the designers that were at this retreat. It has been finished into a pinkeep designed by Merry Cox. She wrote the best instruction sheet for finishing this. Thank you "Merry Cox"....

I have to admit that there are very few items that I have totally completed from the past retreats. My goal from now is to work on these items and get them done before I head out for any new retreats. Also, if I do a good job I should be able to finish them myself except for anything that I will have framed.

"I am a TV star" says Josie..... Yep, she is all excited that yesterday on Halloween her picture was shown on the Chicago CBS morning news show. Wow, she is still beside herself that Ed Curran showed her picture from last year dressed as a skunk.... Hey, stop laughing. At least she will be remembered. Sad part, I don't think they even understood her costume. Well this year she played it up big waiting on the front porch for the kids. She was the queen of her castle

From our house to yours ---- Happy Halloween..... Love Josie

Weekend Projects

This weekend has gone by fast but I have to say that I did enjoy myself by spending many hours doing nothing more than stitching. I have been working on "Blessings and Kind Wishes" by Blackbird Designs. Here is a picture of what I have gotten done this weekend.

I am doing this on 28 count Sand Dune. I love how the colors are popping on this fabric.


My other big "HUGE" accomplishment for the weekend is a hanging pillow that I have finished all by myself. I have to say that this took a lot longer to complete than I expected but the joy I have in knowing that I did this myself is amazing. This is a Workbasket pattern that I picked up in Utah a few weeks ago at the Shepherd's Bush Retreat. I stitched this with a piece of fabric I purchased at the retreat and I don't know what the count or fabric name is. I used Gentle Arts color Raspberry Parfait and attached a flower charm also purchased at the retreat. I made and added cording to this small pillow which was a first for me. I did some research on the Internet on how to make cording and I have to tell you that examples I found were all I needed in getting this accomplished.

I have a couple more projects completed but I want to finish them before I post a picture of what they are. Hopefully I will continue to have luck in my finishing endeavors. Stay tuned.

Josie wanted to be in the picture with Mommy's finished project. She has been such a good doggy lately that I could not turn down the chance to add her into the picture.

Lost in Time

Wow, I am so sorry that I have become a lazy blogger. I have to admit that I have been a busy lady with the day to day activities we all have in our lives. I even got to the point that my stitching has been put aside.

So, to catch up on what is new first requires me to address an award I got back in August.

Thank you... Stitches of Life....

So, to repay the favor here are the rules and my picks for awards....

The rules of the award are:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated.

My favorite blogs are the following:

Susimac at http://susimac.blogspot.com/

MaryKathryn at http://marykathryn.wordpress.com/

Tina and Terry at http://shepherdsbushblog.blogspot.com/

Laura Perin at http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/

Vonna at http://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.com/

Next, guess what....????? I just got back from Utah after attending Shepherd's Bush Stitching Retreat. What a wonderful time and place. Here are some pictures from the retreat.. Make sure you go their blog to see other pictures....

Here we are after our banquet having fun saying goodbye to all of the new friends me made.

I will try to keep posting in the next month or two my progress on all of the kits I got. I had the privilege to take classes from the following:

R&R Productions

Merry Cox

Jacqueline Holdsworth from Ackworth Samplers

The other track that was available had:

Shepherd's Bush

Charland Designs

Blackbird Designs

The best item of all was that we each received a charm bracelet at the beginning of the retreat and then at each class you went to you got a charm that was designed by the designer and made by Charland Designs. I will have to take a picture of the bracelet and post it for you to see.

Well, I need to run but I wanted to let you all know that I am still out there and need to become a better blogger. Stay tuned as the projects are starting to take shape again.

Olympics

Well, my buddy blogger "Spinster Stitcher" came up with the idea to stitch patriotic projects while watching the Olympics. Well, I did that and here is the project I worked on (still needs to be ironed and buttons sewn on). This is "Scatter Freedom" by Shepherd's Bush. I think I might have to do a couple more patterns quickly before the games end. Thanks for the idea fellow blogger and anxious to see you this Saturday in LaPorte.

By the way - 2006 Prairie Schooler Limited Santa is done. I am excited for August 25th to get here and start on 2007 Limited Santa next. At this rate I will have several Christmas patterns done to enjoy this holiday season.

Going Pink

In honor of a special survivor in my life I presented the following pillow to my buddy Denise. She has a strength that is so amazing and such a great outlook on life. As I stitched this pillow for her I thought of her struggles and pain and wished them all away with each stitch I took.

The pattern is by Lizzie Kate called "Peace, Love, and a Cure". I bought this pattern from my LNS and waited to see what Shepherd Bush had come up with in stitching and finishing of this pattern. I knew it would be so spectacular and it is. They stitched the pattern on a larger count fabric that has a bit of glitter to it. They also had the finishing fabric available for making this into a pillow which really sets the design off. The picture just doesn't do this justice.

Here is the back.

Here is to bringing sunshine and hope to everyone out there that has a story about someone special in their life and the struggles life has presented to them. Keep the strength going and hope that someday we will be even more prepared to win the battles we are presented with. Denise, you are my hero and a true survivor. Have a Happy Birthday and many, many more years of happiness, love, and good health. XOXOXOX